Summer Pics

C.A. at 2.5 months of age. Looking very cheeky and slinging smiles all around.

C.A. nearly 3 months old.

He has recently discovered his hands and LUVS to maw on them.

In July we spent 2 days at the cottage of a family friend on Sapphire Lake. C discovered her love of

Sea-Dos and made her dad take her for ride upon ride around the lake.

Clearly this girl shares a love of things with speed and motors in them - just like her dad.

Oh, and since I've had a lot of free time this summer -

 I threw in a picture of me lounging around by the pool in my bikini and heels.

*Who wears heels to the pool anyway???? Oh that's right, H.M. does.

Cluck!

FYI the chicken sitting is going well. We have acquired several eggs from the K's chickens and C luvs to chase and pet them. We had a double dose of poultry this week when we visited the county fair. C insisted that we go through the chicken barn to see the hundreds of clucking birds. As we were walking past some cages I felt some moisture spray my arm which I can only hope and pray was actually water.

Bits and Pieces

This week I have been put in charge of watching some chickens, fifteen to be exact. A neighbor of ours is going to be away for a few days and they have asked us to let their chickens out in the morning. Being a girl from "the burbs" that I am I wasn't exactly geeked to do this. Chickens kinda freak me out. Anyway, I'm a spineless pushover and we're watching our neighbor's chickens and watering their plants - joy. After excessive moaning and groaning the husband reminded me that I may want a favor from them someday and I should basically just buck up.

This past weekend we did our grocery shopping at a store that is not D & W. It sucked. We only went there because I needed a new nightlight for our freakishly dark hallway. Both the hubby and I left the store peeved because 1) our daughter decided to turn into a devilish gremlin, 2) there were sooo many people there you couldn't navigate the cart, and 3) our cashier was a complete moron that lacked any social skills.

Recently in our marriage J and I have come to the realization that neither of us like Subway subs. For countless years we have bought Subway subs thinking that the other person liked them better than Blimpie. Apparently we both like Blimpie and thus never need to eat at the other place again. We also had a crazy mix up regarding Slurpee's this week. Joe was apparently unaware of my Slurpee preference. I will ONLY drink Coke in the frozen form and none of those other wonky flavors. I did during my first pregnancy have a brief period where I would drink the frozen blueberry kind, but hey I was pregnant and therefore not accountable. Anyway, he was trying to be a thoughtful husband and brought C and me Slurpees - the red kind (Ick!!!!). I didn't mean to be a creep, but that is one of the few things is this world that I won't eat. I know...... but truly I can't stand anything except the frozen Coke. You think you know a guy..... You think he knows you.....

C is going through a phase where she take FOREVER to get ready for bed and to get dressed in the mornings. It is seriously the most ridiculous battle! We have had several nights of screaming and crying which just wears me plumb out. It fries my brain to go to war with a 3 year old. So I've started an incentive chart - if C gets ready for bed without screaming or crying and doesn't take forever to wash up and brush teeth then she earns a smile face. Last night was our first success in 2 nights. We had a peaceful and relaxing bedtime routine (mostly thanks to the hubby). She did a great job getting ready for bed and as a result earned a reward from the "prize" bucket. Now I've upped the anti and she has to do a good job going to bed two nights in a row, then three, and so on. I'm accepting prayers on this one folks because frankly I can't handle the alternative. Any helpful hints on putting an end to bedtime chaos?

Laying Around

Here's C.A. hanging out with his dad at about 2 months of age.

He was much more enthused about this picture than his father.

I Was Desperate!

While at the mall the other day, I was stading in long line at the A&W waiting to buy some lunch when I honed my hearing in on the little chap in front of us. He was whining and throwing a bit of fit about something which I think was a sucker. Anyway - I saw his mother say no several times only to rip the plastic off the sucker and hand it to him moments later. Clearly a moment of desperation.

I always find it interesting to see what will put a parent past their limit. I'm not talking over the cliff, lost your ever lovin' mind sort of "lost it", but those everday sort of "cave ins" where you give in to the wee folk against your better judgement.

Personally, I know that C has gotten Apple Jacks, candy, and excessive amounts of Cinderella in moments of parental weakness.

I was just wondering what you all have given into, be it kids (or husbands), in moments of desperation?